Many congratulations to Wife in the North for landing a £70,000 book deal to publish her poignant blog about life in Northumberland with three young children.
Her identity has been revealed as Judith O’Reilly, a former Sunday Times education correspondent who moved to the north because her husband wanted to bring up their family away from east London.
It’s all the more extraordinary because wifey, as she calls herself, only started blogging six weeks ago, but support from high profile bloggers like Iain has been credited with raising her profile and leading to her success.
Her publisher believes the theme of a former career woman following a dream to bring up a young family in rural surroundings will tap into the zeitgeist of the post Bridget Jones generation.
Wifey is still stunned by these astounding events, I had an email from her this morning saying:
“an amazing thing has happened. I have got a book deal. can’t quite believe it. Everything has gone so fast. one day i am blogging, the next day i’m on the front page of the sunday times. The world I think has gone mad.”
I’m thrilled for her success. I enjoy escaping from the world of politics to read about her family’s life, so much of it reminds of when my sons were younger. Her talent shines through and her blog is the perfect outlet for her creative energy.
How long before it is turned into a film I wonder? Who will play wifey? I’m sure she has no regrets about making the move up North now, her life is going to be totally transformed in more ways than planned.
Update: Bryan Appleyard’s hilarious alternative version. Are the publishers knocking on his door?
Pic courtesy of North News.
Blimey, 70 grand. You’ll be next Ellee.
I have entertained the idea of doing a blog about life in Istanbul…but I’m thoroughly brassed off with the place and so had better not. That said, as a result of my blog, I have been e-mailed by a Turkish TV channel to do an interview about being a blogger in Turkey and from an independent film maker who is putting a documentary together about foreigners who live in Turkey. Both offers were refused. Anonymity is all…
IT, You should write a “warts and all” blog from Turkey, telling it as it really is, you are anonymous and have nothing to worry about. It sounds like you are being courted by the media too, but obviously this can’t be done anonymously.
I’ve had more than my 15 mins of fame with my blog – but without the dosh – the main thing is to enjoy it, which I do.
Gosh, lucky “wifey” and congratulations to her! Well deserved.
Having been to Turkey I would imagine that it is more ‘warts’ than ‘all’.
I’m not going back.
Ellee – This is a great story. It is such a pleasure to hear good news such as this and to read other bloggers writing about the good news. Well done to “Wife in the North’. Michelle
How wonderful for that young wife and mother. She must be thrilled to pieces. Probably Kate Winslet would fit the bill to play her. Or perhaps, Australia’s own Jacqueline MacKenzie who is very handy with accents, having appeared in a couple of English period films, amongst others, together with US films or even, Emily Watson.
Congratulations go her way.
The blog world is amazing! who knows where it leads!! Well done! is what I say!
He stuff is really good .I wonder of Ishould start doing more “writing “you do seem to get a better repsonse
Pity that Jenny has never got started – maybe you should email her this story Ellee!
Many congrats to ‘Wife In The North’!
Lucky husband I say.